Muscleblind-like 2 (Mbnl2) -deficient mice as a model for myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM), the most common adult-onset muscular dystrophy, is caused by CTG or CCTG microsatellite repeat expansions. Expanded DM mRNA microsatellite repeats are thought to accumulate in the nucleus, sequester Muscleblind proteins, and interfere with alternative mRNA splicing. Muscleblind2 (Mbnl2) is a member of the family of Muscleblind RNA binding proteins (that also include Mbnl1 and Mbnl3) that are known to bind CTG/CCTG RNA repeats.

Particulate air pollutants and asthma. A paradigm for the role of oxidative stress in PM-induced adverse health effects.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease, which involves a variety of different mediators, including reactive oxygen species. There is growing awareness that particulate pollutants act as adjuvants during allergic sensitization and can also induce acute asthma exacerbations. In this communication we review the role of oxidative stress in asthma, with an emphasis on the pro-oxidative effects of diesel exhaust particles and their chemicals in the respiratory tract.

[cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of major allergen of Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 2) in south China].

Objective: To clone and analyze the cDNA of major allergen Der f 2 of Dermatophagoides farinae in south China.

Methods: cDNA of Der f 2 was cloned by RT-PCR, screened and their sequences were analyzed.

Results: cDNA of Der f 2 was cloned.

Diesel exhaust particles exert acute effects on airway inflammation and function in murine allergen provocation models.

Background: Epidemiologic studies show that sudden surges in ambient particulate matter (PM) levels can trigger acute asthma exacerbations. Although diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) act as an adjuvant for allergic sensitization, this is a delayed response and does not explain acute PM effects on airway hyperreactivity (AHR).

Objective: Our aim was to determine the acute effects of DEPs on AHR using a mouse model.

[The immunotherapeuftc effect of DNA vaccine of mite major allergen on mite extract triggered allergic pulmonary diseases].

Objective: To assess the effects of DNA vaccine of mite major allergens on murine pulmonary allergic inflammation triggered by mite extract.

Methods: Two eukarycyte expression plasmids of Derp 1 and Derp 2 (pDerp 2-IRES-Derp 1 and pCMV-Derp 1) were constructed. BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: normal group, control group, mono-plasmid group and mixture immunization group.